Wilma (Kerbs) Hauser was born on October 1, 1924 in Russell County, Kansas to Jacob and Martha Templing.  She died in Scottsdale, Arizona on March 7, 2011 at the Desert Flower care facility where she was comforted by family members.

She was the youngest of three children having two sisters, Edna and Irene.  She married Freddie Kerbs on April 18, 1943 at the age of 19.  Shortly after marriage, the couple moved to Coalmont, Colorado and later to Saratoga, Wyoming before returning to the Kerbs homestead in Otis, Kansas in 1957.  They had two sons, Brad Kerbs (wife Suzy) now residing in Eureka, Missouri and Brent Kerbs (wife MiMi) residing in Scottsdale, Arizona.

She was a strong-willed, intense, intelligent and energetic person her entire life.    At the age of 43 she began investing in real estate and worked outside the home in various roles.  Eventually she became affiliated with TG&Y stores and rose to the role of general manager of the Great Bend, Kansas store as well as being on the regional management board as the only female in the company to manage a store.  She worked constantly for another 20 years all the while adding to her rental real estate properties in Great Bend and Hoisington, Kansas.

Her hobbies included her work, family, bridge and gardening.  She bred purebred Pug dogs for many years.  She always had a strong faith and was an active member in the Otis Methodist Church singing in the choir for many years.  Later she was a member of the First Christian Church of Great Bend.

On December 7, 1979 she married Floyd Hauser of Great Bend and a few years later she retired from retail management so they could spend more time together and manage the real estate.  They actively traveled in North America, took cruises in the Caribbean, vacationed in Hawaii as well as touring several countries in Europe.   They spent several winters in Arizona and after Mr. Hauser’s death in 2005 she eventually spent her final years in Arizona, a place she always dreamed of living.

She is survived by her sons and three granddaughters including Lindsay Shields of St. Charles, Missouri, Kelly Neymen of Davidson, N.C and Jil Brown of Chandler, Arizona.  Her great grand-children include three boys and one girl.

Celebration of Wilma’s Life will be held at 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, March 15, 2011 at the First Christian Church of Great Bend with Rev. Bill Johnson officiating.  Burial will follow at the Great Bend Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 10:00 A.M. to Service time at the Church.  Condolences may be sent in care of Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, who is in charge of these arrangements.